"...Sonically, this just may be a permanent entry in the global audiophile community's list of 'Best-Ever Sounding LPs'. It certainly belongs there for musical content, too." Sound Quality: 99% out of 100% - Ken Kessler, Hi-Fi News, May 2011

"The results on this five 45rpm 180g LP set are simply astonishing, particularly if you've heard the originals. The transparency, dynamics and three-dimensionality create the intense sensation of being in the studio with the musicians and especially with Cole who appears as a visceral, floating apparition between the speakers. The size and three-dimensionality of the vocal image produces the sensation of the listener being a 'fly on the microphone mike stand' listening to Cole perform, surrounded by musicians. The arrangements and performances are faithful to the originals but the sound of course is far superior. The feeling is of sitting in on history by being there, not merely eavesdropping after the fact...Given the sonics and the superb packaging, it's easy to say that this box set is worth every penny of its considerable cost. I cannot recommend it more highly." Music = 10/11; Sound = 11/11 - Michael Fremer, Musicangle

"...mastered from the original three-track work tapes is a sonic spectacular that outdoes the original by a wide margin - as does its packaging. The SACD includes three-channel and two-channel mixes. A major reissue." Stereophile Records To Die For - Michael Fremer, Stereophile, February 2010

"I got my Nat King Cole box...not only is the sound AMAZING, the presentation box is so beautiful. It is a piece of art!!! You are doing great things, my friend!!! - Stephen Fish, Acoustic Sounds customer

Additional liner notes by Nat "King" Cole expert Jordan Taylor.

One of Nat "King" Cole's crowning achievements and a fittingly lavish celebration of a cultural and musical icon, The Nat "King" Cole Story offers a glorious overview of the career of one of the greatest and most beloved performers in popular music history. 38 tracks, many re-recorded in stereo for this anthology, offer a selection spanning his popular career.

His beginnings leading the popular jazz-oriented Nat "King" Cole Trio are represented with selections including "Route 66" and "I Love You (For Sentimental Reasons)." Hits including "Nature Boy," "Mona Lisa," "Unforgettable," "Orange Colored Sky," "Night Lights" and "Looking Back" are here to represent his unparalleled string of memorable hits as a popular vocalist. "Calypso Blues" and "Ay Cosita Linda" help illustrate the range his projects could cover. More contemporary to this anthology, selections including "Wild Is Love" are augmented here with two huge hits as a special bonus, "Ramblin' Rose" and "Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer" to further expand the scope.

A talent and voice for all times with a body of work that could and did help define their eras, Nat "King" Cole's career offers some of the finest, most enduring and treasured recordings ever made. Nat "King" Cole could never be fully served by any one set. But this wonderful cornucopia stands as a fantastic celebration for the enthusiast and a good starting point for someone just beginning to explore The Nat "King" Cole Story.

Using the original first generation 2-track and 3-track session tapes from Capitol's vaults and all-analogue systems including custom headstacks, 3-track preview heads, console and monitoring chain installed at AcousTech specially for these releases, mastering engineers Kevin Gray and Steve Hoffman realize the stunning beauty of these recordings in this 45-RPM 180-gram five album set.

Originally presented as a deluxe box set of 3 LPs in a canvas-bound embossed box with essays and pictures included in a album-sized booklet, The Nat "King" Cole Story was a prestigious release Capitol took obvious pride in. Complete with 5 LPs, canvas-bound embossed box and booklet with essays and pictures, Analogue Productions proudly recreates the experience for a new generation to cherish with this deluxe release. This truly is a no-expenses-spared project, resulting in the ultimate version of this title and a historic reissue.

There are 38 songs in this collection. Of those, three are the same recordings included on other Analogue Productions Nat "King" Cole reissues. "Stardust" (track 28) is the same version included on Love Is The Thing. "St. Louis Blues" (track 30) is the same version included on the album of that title. And "Paradise" (track 33) is the same version included on The Very Thought Of You. Three more songs - "Sweet Lorraine," "It's Only A Paper Moon" and "(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66" - are songs that appear on After Midnight, however these versions are stereo re-recordings of the original arrangements from the 1940s.

A real treasure

posted on 07/15/20185 StarsReviewer: JMCox

This issue of what most certainly is the definitive collection of many of Nat King Cole's finest musical treasures, re recorded by Mr. Cole in 1961, is amazing. Michael Fremer's essay on this compilation (and the whole series of Nat Cole's albums that were engineered by Steve Hoffman and Kevin Gray . . . and pressed by what has become the premier pressing plant on the planet, QRP) does justice to this box set, and is a great read. Sadly they don't make em like Mr. Cole anymore. But this box presents his incomparable music with breathtaking sonics. Highly recommended.

Wonderful music, wonderful sound

posted on 11/05/20175 StarsReviewer: Noam

Sounds better than the DSD version

Close to perfect.

posted on 05/14/20174 StarsReviewer: MrGerg

Another terrific release by Analogue Productions, marred only by a couple of minor issues: (1) occasional minor clicks and pops. Nothing that's a deal breaker, but significantly more than on the Analogue Productions release Just One of Those Things. Likewise, there seems to be minor variations in audio quality. As example Straighten up and Fly Right seems to lack the absolute crystal-clarity of Walkin' My Baby Back Home. Still, it remains the definitive mix of this classic collection by Nat King Cole. Thanks, Analogue Productions!

Excellent but how silent should it be?

posted on 11/11/20124 StarsReviewer: Mick

I read the reviews on this with envy as it was too expensive but decided to take the plunge and I used some money I got for my Birthday to buy it. The quality of the recording is superb and the recording means Nat's voice fills the room with realism and warmth. When I first played it, it made my wife quite emotional as her elderly Father loves Nat King Cole. The only thing negative is there is the occasional click. One loud click just before the start of Unforgettable but not during the music so doesn't matter. but there are a few clicks in quick succession during Paradise on Side 9 which are not as prominent but are annoying none the less. I thought it may have been static but I've cleaned with a carbon fibre brush and the clicks persist. I love the box set but it's took the shine off it a little for me as I'd read such great things about the pressing quality of Analogue Productions re-issues and £120 is a lot for a man of my means.

heavenly

posted on 10/29/20115 StarsReviewer: Celt

I'm 55 years old and Nat Cole's warm voice is part of my earliest memories. This set captures that wonderful voice and the wonderful music that accompanies it. It's part of my DNA and if its part of yours, don't hesitate to buy this set! The book, the mastering and pressings are perfect!

Simply an Essential Piece of Pop LP History

posted on 07/25/20115 StarsReviewer: John P

The choice of songs and the sound is without fault. I agree with everything Chris and Mark said. This was special because of the way the album was originally recorded as well, live with the orchestra behind Nat. This is virtually direct to disc and again the sound is a match for ANY pop LP that I have ever heard!

Spooky Real

posted on 05/26/20115 StarsReviewer: Mark Vradenburg

I ordered this set in anticipation of a clean well recorded sound and was blown away by the realness of it. It was an artist that my mother used to like very much so when she died in February this year, I sat up in my music room with a glass of scotch and played every song for mom as a way of saying goodbye, and it was a very emotive and memorable experience.

great work

posted on 01/24/20115 StarsReviewer: Chris Feickert

Dear all,

I bought this record in Vegas at this years' CES. This is one of the most awesome and remarkable set of records I ever ran into. Great mastering from the finest tapes preserving every little detail of theese amazing songs that Nat left behind for us.

To all you Nat Cole addicts out there: This is a MUST have in your collection.